Michael Broomhead

The camera also filmed a group of up to ten people, including a toddler, posing for photographs and chatting on the railway for almost ten minutes.

The CCTV camera caught a total of eight dangerous incidents on the line in a single day.

In total, the CCTV camera captured eight incidents of dangerous behaviour in a single day on the line.

Warnings have now been issued about the potentially deadly consequences of trespassing on the railway.

Martin Brown, operations risk advisor at Network Rail, said: “Level crossings in rural, picturesque settings such as Matlock Bath may look like good opportunities for a photo but the railway is not a playground.

“Trains can come from either direction at any time and being distracted by chatting, texting or taking photographs while using the crossing significantly increases the risk of an incident.”

Inspector Eddie Carlin, from British Transport Police, added: “The footage is extremely worrying. We are really concerned someone is going to get seriously injured or killed at the crossing.

“Trespassing on the railway is extremely dangerous and can have tragic consequences for those involved.

“I have had to tell devastated families that their loved ones are not coming home due to incidents such as this and it’s heartbreaking.

“The railway is a dangerous environment.

“Trains travel at speed and can be silent and if people are trespassing on the tracks and are distracted taking photos, selfies or texting they really are putting themselves in danger.

“No photo or text is worth risking your life.

“We have increased patrols in the area and are keen to speak to the people pictured to reinforce our concerns about their reckless and dangerous behaviour.